iOS help! How to update your iPhone safely

Help! I can’t update my iPhone! This is a pretty common problem whe****n it comes to dealing with your latest Apple download and you can often face a bit of a software minefield with it. So how should you download the new iOS without dealing with iPhone update problems? We’re here to help guide you through!

Update iPhone without deleting memory

This couldn’t be more important. Before you do any work with the software of your phone, it’s key to back up any information you have on there just in case the worst happens. You should be prompted to do this when you plug your iPhone into a computer, and normally your phone will back up automatically, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you skip this step, and your update fails for some reason, you could end up losing everything from your photos down to your contacts.

Check your settings for the iOS update

Once you’re all backed up you should check to see a couple things. First, head into your Settings panel, go to General, and then Software**Update. This will tell you if there’s an update available for your handset and if so, what it does.

Then you should check how long the update has been available- the Apple website should say this. If it’s been available for less than 48 hours, you might be best off waiting for feedback from other keen Apple phone users, even if you’re desperate to download it.

This is because most problems with updates are going to happen in the early hours after it’s been made available. For example, if you downloaded iOS 8.0.1 right away, iPhone 6 users lost their TouchID compatibility and their network connection, whilst those who waited managed to avoid the download until it was fixed.

Start your download!

Once you’ve completed the first two steps, you are officially ready to update your iPhone. There are currently two ways to do this, via computer or by a wireless internet connection.

How do I update my iPhone without Wi-Fi?

We always recommend updating your phone by computer, as Wi-Fi has a tendency to drop out at the worst times, making your update taking longer. Also, as your phone will also be powered by the computer, you don’t have to worry about running out of battery half way through.

Tips on your new iPhone update

Leave it alone:

It might be tempting to send a text or play a game on your iPhone whilst it’s updating, but you should let it handle itself during any updates. Using your phone during an update can cause it to crash, meaning you have to restart right from the beginning again, so it’s best off not risking it.

Give yourself room:

Updating your software takes up a fair bit of memory, so make sure you have plenty spare if you want to get it done. It won’t use up all that space once it’s installed, but when it’s switching up it will need a big chunk of storage. Make sure any apps or video files are deleted if you’re struggling for space, because you can always put them back on after.

Take your time:

Typically, an iOS update takes around 30 minutes from start to finish, but this can always vary depending on a number of factors. If you try and get it all done in 15 minutes you’ll be left struggling, so it’s always best to give yourself plenty of free time to handle your update. Do it in the evening or let it do its thing overnight, just don’t do it 10 minutes before you head on a night out!

Think about your update:

Whilst Apple does offer its update to a number of devices, sometimes you can be better off sticking with what works, especially if your phone is on the old side. For example, many iPhone 4s users are deciding against iOS 8, as users have complained of speed and battery issues with the updated software.

Avoid dodgy files:

It’s extremely rare for an Apple update, but there are some people out there who will try and trick you into downloading the latest ‘update’ from them. Just remember, all Apple updates are completely free of charge and can be found on iTunes. If someone is offering you an odd link to an update, it’s probably malicious, so leave it alone!

You’ve now updated your iPhone!

Once the update has run its course you’re all set! It may take a few minutes for your phone to restart, especially if it’s a larger update, but all will be in place and working as normal. Of course, if you think something is missing, sync your iPhone as you usually would and you shouldn’t experience any problems.

If you do have issues updating however, go to the Apple website and it’ll have all the troubleshooting information you’ll need.